On Modjeska Grade Road a retaining wall collapsed in the rain at a home that was recently rebuilt from the Modjeska fires.

Silverado Canyon resident John Mitchell stands in what was his backyard until early this morning. His back yard used to be flat and now it is a huge pile of shale and a waterfall runs through it. He said the huge rock at his feet fell at about 4 a.m. when he was in the back yard.

A lifeguard tower get pounded by high surf in Corona del Mar.

Lifeguards and police keep an eye on high surf as it floods a portion of beach in Corona del Mar.

In Dove Canyon, residents have been cut off from exiting their homes because of mud and debris that has slid down adjacent hillsides, said Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion of the Orange County Fire Authority. About 40 homes have been affected, and firefighters are asking residents to evacuate the area, he said. 'The road they are exiting is covered in mud“ Concepcion said.

Several homes in Modjeska Canyon are being evacuated because of mudslides, with deputies taking rides alongside firefighters because their patrol cars cannot traverse through the rough and muddy terrain.

Silverado Creek rages alongside Silverado Canyon Road. Access bridges to homes on the north side of the canyon were impassible, keeping people from being able to leave.

Access bridges to home on the north side of Silverado Canyon were made impassible as Silverado Creek flowed high over them Wednesday morning.

Business owner Heidi Miller discovers her boutique, Tight Assets, flooded in downtown Laguna Beach where crews are working to clear the streets of mud and sand after a flash flood that reached depths of three feet Wednesday morning, Dec 22. "The last three days are the busiest," said Miller, who also owns the news stand. "It's 20% top 25% of my yearly profit."

One of dozens of rocks fall blocked lanes on Silverado Canyon Road this morning.

Silverado Canyon resident John Mitchell directs his son Robert who was driving his truck as he dragged a neighbors car away from the edge of the Silverado Creek. The car was about 6 inches away from falling into the creek as the creek bank was eroding. Mitchell said he was concerned that the car would fall in and dam up the creek.

A Volkswagen is partially buried in rock and mud where a runoff appeared overnight, flowing down the south side of Silverado Canyon onto Silverado Canyon Road. Several cars were partially buried at the spot. Residents worked to redirect the flow away from their homes into the creek.

Silverado Canyon resident John Mitchell has lived on Silverado Canyon Road for the past 20 years. His backyard used to be flat and now it is a huge pile of shale and a waterfall runs through it. The hillside came down behind his home this morning.

Silverado Canyon resident John Mitchell stands in what was his backyard until early this morning. His backyard used to be flat and now it is a huge pile of shale and a waterfall runs through it. He said the huge rock at his feet fell at about 4 a.m. when he was in the backyard.

A male driver lost control of his vehicle on the 5 freeway, crashing and ending up in a water way near Jamboree Road, authorities said. The strong current washed the car about 400 yards before firefighters were able to tie the SUV down, and rescue the driver from the car.

A 70-foot Eucalyptus tree fell on Mariners drive in Newport Beach earlier this morning. Firefighters used chainsaws to clear at least one lane until a city work crew could arrive. In Lake Forest at about 2 a.m., a 100-foot eucalyptus tree fell on a house in the 24800 block of Knollwood, said sheriff's Sgt. Roger Dawes.

A 70-foot Eucalyptus tree fell on Mariners drive in Newport Beach earlier this morning. Firefighters used chainsaws to clear at least one lane until a city work crew could arrive. In Lake Forest at about 2 a.m., a 100-foot eucalyptus tree fell on a house in the 24800 block of Knollwood, said sheriff's Sgt. Roger Dawes.

While gathering her newspapers, Ana Guerreo steps outside her home to find a river of runoff flowing down 10th Avenue in Laguna Beach Wednesday morning, Dec 22.

A usually dry creek bed in Trabuco Canyon is now a lake do to the runoff from the storm.

Orange County Fire Authority Captain Chris Stevens and firefighter John Learned talks with a neighbor on Gundry Way in Silverado Canyon. Flood debris covers what was one the road making it impassible to cars.

Silverado Canyon resident John Mitchell drives up Kitterman Drive in what local's call "Cabin Land" The roads here are impassible without four-wheel-drive as mud and rock has covered the roads. Most residents are staying in place and trying to keep the flow out of their homes.

A van is buried in mud on Kitterman Drive in Silverado Canyon. The canyon is out of power this morning and most people are sheltering in place with many road blockages.

Mike Field, left, and Joey Schmid work on redirecting a flow of water at their home on Gundry Way in Silverado Canyon. The road has turned to a mud field and is impassible by car. Field said that water is flowing into his basement.

What was once a set of steps off Gundry Way in Silverado Canyon is now a strong flowing waterfall.

An Orange County Fire Authority firefighter jumps across water flowing down Kitterman Drive as he checked on residents' welfare in Silverado Canyon.

Flooding and mudslides from a heavy storm that hit Orange County early Wednesday severely damaged at least five homes and even left the Postal Service unable to deliver mail to more than 1,000 customers.

The storm that churned in from the north after five days of rain pounded already saturated hillsides and further flooded roadways, prompting several evacuations and swift-water rescues.

The county’s Emergency Operations Center also sprung into action. And the American Red Cross opened two shelters for those displaced from their homes by the storm.

The rain and resulting mudslides prompted evacuations in Silverado, Modjeska, Dove and Williams canyons and parts of San Juan Capistrano.

About 400 homes and 75 businesses were evacuated in San Juan Capistrano after several concrete panels fell into Trabuco Creek, leading to concern about the stability of the levees.

Five homes in Dove Canyon sustained severe damage in a mudslide. Another home was reported damaged by mud in Dana Point.

Several homes were damaged in Silverado and Williams canyons, but the severity and number of homes is not immediately clear, Capt. Greg McKeown of the Orange County Fire Authority said.

Storm runoff closed about 12 miles of beaches, from Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach to Poche County Beach in San Clemente. The water quality will be tested Monday morning to see if the beaches can re-open.

Because roads were impassable and some rural post offices were closed, more than 1,000 postal customers in the canyons and Laguna Beach couldn’t get home delivery Wednesday. And more than 1,300 post-office box holders were instructed to go elsewhere for their mail.

More than 6,000 customers in Lake Forest and Mission Viejo and 2,000 customers in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Woods were left without power for most of the day.

Much of downtown Laguna Beach was under several feet of water early Wednesday, prompting police to close streets leading into that area and to advise workers in the business district to stay home.

Laguna Beach police called in several officers who were scheduled to be off Wednesday morning, trying to get every hand in to help deal with severe flooding and mudslides throughout the city.

Police and fire officials from Laguna Beach conducted 20 to 25 rescues from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., said Lt. Jason Kravetz. Several residents were trapped inside their cars, and some residents had to be removed from their homes.

“Downtown is completely under water. It’s a flowing river,” Sgt. Joe Torres said early Wednesday.

The Pacific Coast Mammal Center in Laguna Beach was evacuated, with the facility left under 4 feet of water.

Officials dispatched a swift-water rescue team that moved through the city by boat — the only way to access several areas.

By 9:30 a.m., the water had begun to subside. But residents and shop owners were left mopping up mud and sand inside downtown stores.

Michael McFadden, owner of Rock Martin Jewelry, was regretting not putting up his storm door the night before, as he shoveled 5 inches of sand from his store carpet.

“This will put us out of business on the two busiest days (before) Christmas,” he said. “We depend on that all year and then this happens.”

Some residents came to help clean up shops while other went about their regular morning walks. “There is so much damage and erosion at Main Beach,” said Bill Wood, 67, a longtime resident. “This is worse than the floods of the 1990s because we’ve had more consistent rain.”

The main concern remained Coast Highway and Broadway – a major thoroughfare for the city, Kravetz said.

“If we can get that open, we can then get started in getting the side streets opened,” he said.

About 40 homes were voluntarily evacuated along Laguna Canyon Road, and residents were situated at a nearby high school, he said.

The rising waters also caused emergency personnel to conduct several rescues throughout the county, including a search for someone in a water channel in Irvine near Jamboree Road and the I-5 freeway, authorities said.

Firefighters had to tie down an SUV down while strong currents pushed it down a water wash in Irvine, at about 7 a.m. Wednesday, officials said.

The driver of the vehicle is believed to have lost control of his car while driving on the I-5 near Jamboree Road, McKeown said.

The driver was taken to a hospital with unkown injuries, McKeown said.

In Newport Beach, authorities responded to reports of flooded apartment complexes, downed trees and alarm malfunctions, as well as water damaged city facilities.

EVACUATIONS

Mud and debris in Dove Canyon caused severe damage to five homes at the end of a cul-de-sac along Bell Canyon Road, Orange County fire officials said. About 2 feet of mud flowed into the homes and officials said the homes had enough damage that they may be uninhabitable. In all, officials recommended the evacuation of 41 homes in Dove Canyon.

In Modjeska and Silverado Canyons, several residents were asked to leave their homes as mud and debris continued to slide into neighborhoods and flooding creeks blocked several roads.

One man was lifted out of Modjeska Canyon by helicopter. He was not injured but had been unable to leave his home.

Several residents in Modjeska and Williams canyons reported that they are without water service.

“The canyons are completely impassable,” said Lt. Lloyd Downing of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies drove in fire trucks with bullhorns, asking residents to leave the area, he said.

Several homes in Modjeska Canyon were being evacuated because of mud flows, with deputies taking rides alongside firefighters because their patrol cars cannot traverse the rough and muddy terrain.

Phil Munsey, pastor of Life Church and longtime resident of Modjeska Canyon, said he awoke to his neighbors’ screaming as a river of muddy water that jumped a nearby ban roared through their kitchen. They made it out safely.

Munsey said a creek that runs near his home turned into a raging flood of water early Wednesday. “Normally it is 3 to 5 inches high. Now it as at least 30 feet (high) and 70 feet wide,” he said.

Adam Lang, 11, walked along Modjeska Canyon during a brief break in the rain.

“This is crazy, all this rain,” he said. “It’s washing away all the joy this season.”

In Silverado Canyon, a mudslide at the 28000 block of Bond Way caused deputies to evacuate a trailer-park community there, said Lt. Jim England of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department

There were no reports of injuries or of significant structure damage, but England said the evacuations were precautionary. Calvary Church in Silverado is being used as an evacuation center.

The evacuations in San Juan Capistrano south of Del Obispo Street, east of Alipaz Street and west of the railroad tracks ended about 3 p.m.

County contractors were planning to shore up the damaged Trabuco Creek levee on Wednesday night by using truckloads of rocks.Officials warned that noise from the work will cause vibration and loud noises in the city.

“Both sides of the river have sustained damage by the heavy flow of the river,” Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said. “The concern is what the stability of the levees are.”

TREES FALL

In Lake Forest, at 2 a.m., a 100-foot eucalyptus tree fell on a house in the 24800 block of Knollwood, said sherrif’s Sgt. Roger Dawes. The homeowner said this is the second time a eucalyptus tree has fallen onto his house.

Just after 7 a.m., firefighters were called to the 31100 block of Via San Vicente in San Juan Capistrano, where deputies received a call of a large tree falling on the roof of a home there.

A woman was inside the home when the tree fell, McKeown said. And firefighters assisted in getting her out of the home.

About 2 a.m., at least six people were rescued from their cars in Laguna Woods after they drove around barricades set up because of flooding, Downing said.

In one case, a woman was rescued by a sheriff’s deputy as her car began to submerge near El Toro Road and Moulton Parkway.

MUDSLIDES

A mudslide from a hillside on the northbound 241 Toll Road, south of the Santiago Canyon Road exit covered the road.

Toll Road officials said that all lanes on the northbound and southbound 241 from Santiago Canyon Road to the 133 were closed due to the mudslides until further notice. For Toll road updates, go to twitter.com/TheTollRoads.

In Lake Forest, residents near Normandale and Osterman reported water and mud flowing down slopes and flooding their back yards.

In San Clemente there are reports of mudslides in the hills on the city’s eastern side, Downing said. Residents are also reporting power outages.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES

The rains soaking Orange County continued to wreak havoc on local roads Wednesday, with flooding and debris causing numerous closures of roadways and train tracks.

Mudslides closed the 241 Toll Road in both directions from the 133 Toll Road junction to Santiago Canyon Road.

Motorists can access the 91 by taking the northbound 261 to the northbound 241. From the 91, motorists can take the southbound 241 to the southbound 261, or exit Santiago Canyon Road.

To get to South Orange County, motorists can take the northbound 133 to the southbound 241 Toll Road. From South Orange County, motorists can take the northbound 241 Toll Road to the southbound 133.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the following roads are closed:

– Modjeska Canyon Road from Santiago Canyon Road to Modjeska Grade

– Black Star Canyon Road

– Santiago Canyon Road from the 241 to Ridgeline

– Santiago Canyon Kitterman Bridge

– Trabuco Canyon Road past Rose Canyon

– Live Oak Canyon Road

– Pacific Coast Highway from Palisades to Camino Capistrano

– Pacific Coast Highway southbound between Warner and Seapointe

– Harding Canyon Bridge

– Ortega Highway at La Pata

– Paseo De Valencia at Health Center Drive

– Rose Canyon

– 133 Tollroad between Fourth and the 73 Tollroad

– Oso Parkway westbound at Antonio Parkway (No. 2 and 3 lanes closed)

– Laguna Canyon Road from the 73 Tollroad to Downtown

– Lake Forest Drive between Muirlands and Jeronimo

– Siverado Canyon Road

Road closures in the canyons will last until at least 6 a.m. Thursday.

Joel Zlotnik, a spokesman with the Orange County Transportation Authority, said a landslide just south of the county line stopped all Metrolink trains between Laguna Niguel and Oceanside.

The tracks were expected to remain closed overnight. Bus transportation will be provided from Laguna Niguel to Oceanside, Zlotnik said.

The Orange County line will operate between Laguna Niguel and Los Angeles Union Station, Zlotnik said.

All Amtrak service between San Juan Capistrano and San Diego was suspended for the rest of the day, said Amtrak officials through their Twitter feed.

Three Amtrak trains traveling between San Juan Capistrano and Los Angeles were also canceled.

SHELTER INFORMATION

Authorities at 8 a.m. activated the county’s Emergency Operations Center, to answer questions and offer information to residents. The number for the public hotline is 714-628-7085.

The Red Cross opened shelters, which include cots and food for those affected by the flooding and mudslides, at the following locations:

Laguna Beach High School, 625 Parks Avenue

El Modena High School, 3920 Spring Street, in Orange.

As of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, about 45 families were using the Laguna Beach shelter, with two at the El Modena shelter, both of which were to remain open overnight.

MAIL DELIVERY

The post offices in Trabuco and Silverado canyons were closed because of flooding. Silverado residents can get their mail at the Orange Post Office, 1075 N. Tustin St. in Orange until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Customers of the Trabuco Canyon Post Office can get their mail in Rancho Santa Maragirita at 29862 Avenida De Las Banderas until 6 p.m.

About 600 home deliveries in Laguna Beach also were cancelled. Customers there can pick up mail at the South Laguna Postal Annex at 22 Journey in Aliso Viejo until 6 p.m.

Register reporters Mark Eades, Brittany Levine and Claire Webb contributed to this story

In Silverado Canyon, a mudslide at the 2800 block of Bond Way caused deputies to evacuate a trailer park community there, said Lt. Jim England of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

There were no reports of injuries or of significant structure damage, but England said the evacuations were precautionary. Calvary Church in Silverado is being used as an evacuation center.

Alejandra Molina has been a reporter since 2006 and has covered a number of beats -- from crime and transportation to religion and immigration -- for The Orange County Register and The Press-Enterprise.

Sean Emery started at the Register in 2006. As a community reporter he covered the city of San Juan Capistrano, before later moving to the Irvine city government and the Orange County Great Park beat. He's currently the night breaking news and crime reporter, covering incidents and issues countywide.

Erika Ritchie reports on South Orange County coastal communities, military issues and Camp Pendleton for the OC Register. She explores everything from coastal access, environmental issues and marine life to city government, animal welfare and quality of life. She’s won many awards including first place in news (2016) by the Orange County Press Club for her coverage of record numbers of whale entanglements off the California coast. Erika’s covered military change of command and seen military affairs firsthand from the sea aboard a battleship, air from a MV-22 Osprey, and land including Pendleton’s International war games and San Clemente Island’s ordnance ranges. Journalism allows Erika’s penchant for telling human stories of conflict, struggle and joy. Her monthly Everyday Hero feature does just that, highlighting achievements of some of Orange County’s most dedicated volunteers and non-profit leaders. Since joining the Register in 2001, she’s at times covered every city in South Orange County delving into development, housing, transportation, county government and social issues. She’s often written about Saddleback Church and Pastor Rick Warren’s emerging national and global roles. Erika’s passionate about animals and outdoor adventure. She runs, stand-up paddles and skis - both alpine and x-country. She frequents Mammoth Lakes and Mountain for hiking, biking & skiing and for her dogs to frolic in the snow and lakes. She grew up bilingual in German and conversational in French.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.